Support and spacing device for hive body or super frames



Dec. 25, 1951 Filed Nov. 7, 1946 O. A. COLLEY SUPPORT AND SPACING DEVICE FOR v HIVE BODY OR SUPER FRAMES 2 SHEETS--SHEET 1 ,ZZ'Y j0\ /2 ZO J INVENTOR 15' b F a Olg 24' (7. 326 3 11 1 v5.2a; V ATTORNEY D c- 2 1 1 o. A. COLLEY SUPP AND SPACING DEVIC OR HI BODY OR SUPER FRAM Filed Nov. 7, 1946 2-SHEETS-SHEET 2 53 lNVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 25, 1951 SUPPORT AND SPACIN G DEVICE FOR E BODY OR SUPE RFR-AMES I iQmer A. Culley; New York,.N. Y. 7 ApplicationNovember 7, 1946, -Serial N0l708;290

V ,11 .Claims. 01. .6-2)

This invention relates to a support andpspacing device for hive body orsuper. frames. .Itis particularly directed to aysupport and spacer members adapted to .be mounted at opposite ends ;of a hive body or super for supporting .frames' therein.

It is well known that hive bodies and supers of the same size may receive different number of frames. Thus, whereas thebrood chambers may receive ten frames snugly, the same box used as supers might receive only nine frames. {Difficulty, has been experienced :in properly spacing the frames when less than the full number of frames which the super .canreceive-are placed therein. It is important that equal .and-maximum spacing be provided "-betwcentframes and heretofore much time has .been rconsumed achieving properspacing. It is hencean :object of this invention to provide frame supports and vspacerson which either the fullsnumber-of frames may be mounted or on which one less than the full number of frames maybe mounted. in perfectly spacederelation, such frame supports and spacers being provided with means to properly space :the frames as -theysare placed :intothe super therebysaving considerable time.

With the use ofthe improved framesupport and spacer embodying the invention, .it -is.-possib1e .toobtain evenly drawn combs that are ;fat, -that :is extendingover the edges of the frameso that uncappingfor extracting of the honeyis facilitated. f

A further object :of this invention is toprovide an improved frame support and spacer which normally will permit insertion of the maximum number of frames from whichasuper is made and which may be adapted by asimple manipulation to space .the frame ,so that one Jess-than the maximum maybe held rigidlyin. place-in the super to permit. the .beesto .draw all the combs out evenly and prevent the frames from being jumbledwhen handled. and breaking .and toprevent cappings from being broken. and .honey spilled before reaching .the extracting plant, therebysaving much labor which has heretofore been necessary in hand spacing of the frame and obviating necessity for careful handling which has heretofore been necessary to prevent rupture of cappings prematurely- I Still a further object of this invention is to provide a. strong, ru ged and durable support-and spacer for irameseembod'ying. the-inventiomwhich shallrberelatively inexpensive to manufacture, whi h ll be eas to app y to- ,sun r o bodies which may be. easily: change I g mum frame ';condition .to frame spacing position, and-which shall be practical and efficient to-a high degree in use.

Other objects of this .invention will-in part be obvious .and .in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of. construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement ofparts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope-of applicatio will be-indicated in the following claims.

- In -\the accompanying drawing, ,-in which 'is shown variouspossible illustrative embodiments of this invention, I 1

Fig. 1 is a top view of a super or hive body provided with frame support and spacers embodying the invention,"and showing a maximum number ,of frames within the hive body or super and mounted on said supports and spacers; c

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2of Fig 1.; g

i Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view similar to a portion .of the structure shown in Fig. 2:;

Fig.4 is-a partial perspective view of one ofthe supports andspacerdevices embodying the in vention;

Fig. 5 is .anenlarged cross-sectional view taken on line .5-15 of-Fig.-1; l

Fig. 6 is :a view similar'to .5, but showing the support and spacer in condition for supporting and spacing one less than the maximum number: of frames in the hive body .or super; I

Fig. 7 is an enlargedcross-sectional view taken on line 1-! of Fig.6;

Fig. :8 is a partial perspective view of the support andspacer shown in Fig.6; V

9 is a partial top plan view showing the blank for making acom-bination spacer and support-embodying 'the invention and illustrating a modifiedaccnstruction; and

Fig. 10 is'aperspective view of the spacer" and support made from the blank shown in Fig. 9, but showingthe spacing tabs in raised position-for spacing theframes. c

Referring now in detail to the drawing, .10 designates a-hive-bo'dy which maybe usedas a brood chamber orsuper and whichmay be of usual construction. It comprises side walls .11, :H, end walls L2, 12 and a bottom wall J4. At "theiupper ends-of. the end walls 12, J12 on theinside thereof are grooves: 1 4a, forming hori 'zontal shoulders #5. Attached to and mounted on theshoulders tfizof walls t t2 are similar symmetrically disposed supports and spacers 11 frames H which snugly fit therein. Thus a hive body I0 is shown to receive a maximum of ten frames H. The end members 20, of the frames extend beyond the side edges of the top.

members |8 forming projections 23. The projections 23 of adjacent frames contact one an-,.

other as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, thereby creating the proper space between frames which is necessary for the bees to work in. When such a hive body is used as a super instead of a brood chamber, one less than the maximum number of frames ismounted therein so that in the present instance only nine frames would be mounted in the hive body In and heretofore when less than the maximum number of frames were placed in a hive body, it was necessary to hand space the frames, and this was a tedious and labor consuming job and could not very well be done'with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Furthermore, during shipping the frames were likely to move about and jumble andcause rupture of the caps.

Furthermore, if there was uneven spacing, it was not possible to obtain the maximum depth ofcombs- The support and spacers |6 embodying the invention, as will be seen hereinafter, are so constructed that they may be used either with the maximum number of frames or with one less than the maximum number of frames, and in the latter instance, provision is made for accurately spacing the frames and holding the frames in properly spaced relation so that there is equal spacesbetween adjacent frames. The device l5, embodying the invention may be made of sheet metal or any other suitable material. It comprises a flange3ll which sits upon the shoulder l5 and is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 3| to receive nails or other fastening means 3|a 'for attaching said devices to said shoulder.

Extending upwardly from the inner end of flange is a wall 32, from which there extends a down wardly projecting vertical wall 33. Wall 33 projects below shoulder l5 and contacts the inner surface |2a of wall l2. Between walls 32 and 33 is abent back edge 34. The edge 34 is horizontal. The device I6 is of a length equal to the space between the inner surfaces of walls I I, so that it 'extends'the' full length of shoulder |5. 'Wall 33 is formed with a plurality of equally spaced U-shaped slits 35 which have arm portions 3! extending up to theturned back edge 34 and an interconnecting portion 38 which extends below the undersurface of flange 30. At the ends of wall 33, are slits 40 which are symmetrical with respect to one another and each comprising half of the slit 36. The slits 36 form a plurality of U -shaped tab portions 4|, and the slits 40 form tab portions 42 which are equal to half of the tab portions 4|. The length of edges 34 between adjacent tabs 4| or between the tabs 42 and their adjacent tabs 4| are equal to the width of portions 22 of the frames for the purpose hereinafter appearing. When the hive body is designed to receive a maximumof ten frames, there are eight 4 tabs 4| and two end tabs 42. Hence there are nine edge portions 34 between tab portions 4| or between tab portions 42 and 4|.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 when the device IS is used for maximum number of frames, the tabs 4| and 42 are in the plane of wall 33, therefore forming a continuous unbroken upper edge 34 and the maximum number of frames may be mounted on a pair of supports it with the undersides of the extensions 22 resting on said up- .per edges 34. In such event, the frames are selfspacing as heretofore described. However, when 'the device l6-is to be used for one less than the maximum number of frames as shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, the tabs 4| and 42 are swung upwardly to vertical upstanding position so that they are substantially in the plane of wall 32. When thus bent upwardly, there is presented nine equally spaced edges 34 of equal length so that nine frames may be mounted on said supports with the 'extensions '22 on the edges'34 and between the tabs 4| or 4| and 42. The front wall 33 may be formed with a plurality of spaced openings or holes 45 to receive nails or fastening members 45 driven therethrough and into wall |2 so that member 6 is firmly attached in place.

"It will be understood that when the tabs are up, the frames may be quickly placed into position and the tabs serve to do the spacing and to hold the frames in spaced relation to one an other.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a blank 50 of sheet metal orother suitable material from which a frame support and spacer 5| embodying the invention and illustrating a modified construction may be made. The device 5| is similar to the device i6, except that the slits 36 and 40 of device 'l6'are replaced by slits 52 and 53 which extend down to the lower edge 54 of wall 33a, thereby producing more elongated tabs 55 and 56 which may'be'bent upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 10 when used for spacing and supporting one less than'a maximumnumber of frames ma bee hive. 'The points of the tabs may be snipped oil as at 56a, so as to keep the tab within the bee hive body. The addition, of the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is that the slits 52 and 53 extend to the edge 54 and hence may be cut by means of a shear or other instrument which cuts from edge, 54. Obviously the tabs 55 and 55 may be stamped in a stamping press instead of being cut by means of shears.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meetthe conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it isto be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing isto be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 7

' Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

. 1. A device of the character described comprising an elongated member made of bendable sheet 'metal and having a horizontal flange, a wall extending upwardly from said flange and a wallextending downwardly from the upper end of the first wall and forming a straight ledge therewith and projecting below said flange, said second wall being formed with a'plurality of spaced slits forming downwardly projecting tabs normally lying in the plane of said second wall but bendable mpwardilx' to aproject -aboveisaid aledgeresaidctabszwhen.mane plane of second wall extendingdownwardly: from the-upper endot- -theg first wal'l Land-forming a straight ledge [theretwithaand projecting:ibelow'said flange, said "second wallfbeingzlformediwith aziplurality of spaced slits: forming .downwardty: proje'ctingifita bs normally lying in the plane ofsa'idiseeondiwall but being ibendable 'iupwardly to project above said ledge, said tabs when in the plane of said second wall extending from substantially the upper end of said second wall, downtoua min e elow sai flange, said flange and second wall vbeing,ea-eh formed witha plu galityofspaced openings to receive fasteners for fastening said member to a beehive body.

3 Adevic'e o-f-the charaeterzdeseribed comprising-an elongated-member madeof bendable sheet metal and l ieN-ing ahori-zontal flange, a wall-l extending upwardly -f-rom;saidflange and a wall extending-downwardly from the-upper end. pfthe first walli and formingastraight l'edge therewith and projecting below said flange, said second wall being formed with a plurality of spaced slits forming downwardly projecting tabs normally lying in the plane of said second wall but being bendable upwardly to project above the said ledge, said slits extending up to said ledge so that said tabs may be bent about said ledge.

4. A beehive frame support made of a single piece of bendable sheet metal and comprising a horizontal flange and wall co-extensive therewith and extending upwardly therefrom, and a second wall extending from the upper end of the first wall and co-extensive therewith, and forming a folded top edge therewith, said second wall extending to a point below said flange, said second wall being formed with a plurality of spaced U-shaped slits, the frames of said slits extending upwardly to said edge and each slit forming a tab normally projecting downwardly and disposed within the plane of said second wall, and

said tabs being each bendable upwardly to project above said edge.

5. A beehive frame support made of a single piece of bendable sheet metal and comprising a horizontal flange and wall vco-extensive therewith and extending upwardly therefrom, and a second wall extending from the upperend of the first wall and co-extensive therewith, and forming a folded top edge therewith, said second wall extending to a point below said flange, said second wall being formed with a plurality of spaced U- shaped slits, the frames of said slits extending upwardly to said edge and each slit forming a tab normally projecting downwardly and disposed within the plane of said second Wall, said tabs being each bendable upwardly to project above said edge, the lower ends of said slits extending below said flange but terminating above the lower edge of said second wall.

6. A beehive frame support made of a single piece of bendable sheet metal and comprising a horizontal flange and wall co-extensive therewith and extending upwardly therefrom, and a second wall extending from the upper end of the first wall and co-extensive therewith, and forming a folded top edge therewith; said second wall exiii iii)

empress r 6 V itfinlifllilggfimzflepflinlllibemw saidifiangei-saidssecond wall ibeihgiformedawith a pluralityofazspaced =aUsshaped'; 551%5, :frames; .of said: slits, extendin upwardly-filo said edge and each. slitqforming: pa tabmormally projecting and disposed within itluezplane. lofqsaidssecond said tabs fleeing .-eaeh1 bendable upwardly to proiieetabove saidledge, the lower .endsnof :saidslits extending below v said zflangelnbnt' termmating; above the lowemedgerof isaidlsecond' wall, said flange being formedwilth ,a plurality Qf 5SpaCed"na/i1 openings and :saidseeond :wall being formed with a plurality -01 spaced snail openings: disposed below $83316: flange.

Azbeehivesilrame: supportcompnisingan elongated :membercmadelof bendable fihfifitgmetail and having za :heriaontal :flange, :a. wall extending up,-

from:..sai-d' flange and a. zwallqextending downwardlydrom thesupper end of the first ,wall laboutwfoldedeever; edgesand projectinghelow said flange, sand a splmerlity xof equally spaced :tabs projecting?rupwesrdlymabave the :first wall, and said second wall being formed openings similar inehapelandsymmetri-cally idisposed rel-- atiwectosthe- Stabs, whereby said tabs .serve to space beel-iive'frames-resting on the efoldedeover ze'dges :betweenithe flrstland secondxwalls; and be.-

ztween said tabs, and :saidtabs zbeing ibendable downwardly about:-'their :bases into. said openings, whereby." Fthedidldedeomer ledges lsbetwe en :said sflrst wall and the downwardly bent tabsrtegethel with the folded-over edges between theflrst and second walls will provide a continuous straight ledge for supporting beehive frames more closely spaced together.

8. A beehive frame support comprising an elongated member made of bendable sheet metal and having a horizontal flange, a wall extending upwardly from said flange and a wall extending downwardly from the upper end of the first wall about folded-over edges and projecting below said flange, and a plurality of equally spaced tabs projecting upwardly above the first wall, and said second wall being formed with openings similar in shape and symmetrically disposed relative to the tabs, whereby said tabs serve to space beehive frames resting on the folded-over edges between the first and second walls and between said tabs, and said tabs being bendable downwardly about their bases into said openings, whereby the folded-over edges between said first Wall and the downwardly bent tabs together with the folded-over edges between the first and second walls will provide a continuous straight ledge for supporting beehive frames more closely spaced together, said openings extending downwardly below said flange.

9. A beehive frame support comprising an elongated member made of bendable sheet metal and having a horizontal flange, a wall extending upwardly from said flange and a wall extending downwardly from the upper end of the first wall about folded-over edges and projecting below said flange, and a plurality of equally spaced tabs projecting upwardly above the first wall, and said second wall being formed with openings similar in shape and symmetrically disposed relative to the tabs, whereby said tabs serve to space beehive frames resting on the folded-over edges between the first and second walls and between said tabs, and said tabs being bendable downwardly about their bases into said openings, whereby the folded-over edges between said first wall and the downwardly bent tabs together with the folded-over edges between the first and sec- 0nd walls will provide a continuous straight ledge for supporting beehive frames more "closely spaced together, said openings extending downwardly below said flange, and said flange being formed with a plurality of spaced nail holes.

10. A beehive frame support comprising an elongated member made of bendable sheet metal and having a horizontal flange, a wall extending upwardly from said flange and a wall extending downwardly from the upper end of the first wall about folded-over edges and projecting below said flange, and a plurality of equally spaced tabs pr jecting upwardly above the first wall, and

sa d second wall being formed with openings similar in shape and symmetrically disposed relative to the tabs, whereby said tabs serve to space beehive frames resting on the folded-over edges between the first and second walls and between said tabs, and said tabsbeing bendable downwardly about their bases into said openings, whereby the folded-over edges between said first wall and the downwardly bent tabs together with the folded-over edges between the first and second walls will provide a continuous straight ledge for supporting beehive frames more closely spaced together, said openings extending downwardly below said flange, said flange being formed with zontal flange.

' 11. A support and spacer for beehive'frame's comprising a single member'made of'bendable sheet metal adapted to be attached to a wall of a beehive body and, provided'with a plurality of spaced portions disposed in a straight line to support spaced beehive frames each restingon one of said portions, and said member being further provided with means projecting above said portions for spacing the frames resting on said portions, and said spacing means being bendable downwardly below said portions to provide supporting portions which with said spaced supporting portions will form a continuous support for beehive frames resting thereon in more closely spaced relation.

OMER. A. COLLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,262,779 Gray Apr. 16, 1918 1,370,775 7 Bacon Mar. 8, 1921 1,782,202 Frater Nov. 18, 1930 1,929,648 Phillips Oct. 10, 1933 2,090,042 Hasselbach Aug. 17, 1937 2,446,346 Stoller Aug. 3, 1948 

